158 ZOOLOGY. 



HARPORHYNCHUS CEISSALIS, Henry. 



Red-vented Thrasher. 



llarporlnjnchus crissalis, Bd., Ives' Col. Exped., 1857-58, pt. iv, G. — Heney, Proc. 

 Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., May, 185S, p. — .— Bd., Birds N. A., i, 1858, 351.— 

 Henry, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1S59, 107 (New Mexico).— Bd., Rev. Am. 

 Birds, i, 1804, 47.— COUES, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1800, 05 (Fort 

 Mojave, Cooper). — Cooper, Birds Cal., i, 1870, 18. — Coues, Am. Nat., vi, 

 1S72, 310.— Id., Key, N. A. Birds, 1872, 75.— Id., Am. Nat., vii, 1873, 328.— 

 Bd., Brew., & Ridg., N. A. Birds, pt. i, 47, pi. iv, f. 1, app. 500. — Yar- 

 row & Hensiiaw, Rep. Om. Specs., 1872, Wheeler's Exped., 1874, 0.— 

 Heisshaw, An. Lye. Nat, Hist, N. Y., xi, 1874. — Id., An. List Birds Utah, 

 1872 ; Wheeler's Exped., 1874, 40.— Id, Rep. Orn. Specs., 1873, Wheeler's 

 Exped., 1874, 97. 



The great rarity of the Crissal Thrush hitherto in collections seems to 

 be the result of its shy, retiring habits, and the rough nature of the country 

 it inhabits, rather than to the scarcity of the bird ; for it is found over a large 

 extent of country, and is in certain regions by no means uncommon. 

 According to my experience, it is not a bird of the plains, but inhabits by 

 preference the rough sides of rocky canons or the hill sides covered with 

 broken debris, interspersed with straggling bushes. With apparently the 

 same general habits of the two preceding species, varied somewhat to suit 

 the different nature of its habitat, it is far more shy and wary than either, 

 and a moment's glimpse of its peculiar form, often hardly sufficient to enable 

 one to make sure of its identity, as it darts far ahead from some low bush 

 into the thick brush, or over some low dividing ridge of rocks, is often the 

 only proof to be had of its presence. Near Camp Lowell, Ariz., this species 

 appeared to be quite common, and I obtained several specimens from the 

 heavy brush that skirted the stream. This was the only time I had noticed 

 them in such a locality, and doubtless they had been attracted down from 

 the contiguous rocky hills by the presence below of berries and a greater 

 abundance of insect food. 



This, as the other Curve-billed Thrushes, is said to possess remarkable 

 powers of song, which, in sweetness of tone and modulation, is almost 

 unrivaled. In the fall, which is the only season I have ever observed them, 

 they are very silent, and only when disturbed utter notes similar to those 

 mentioned as belonging to the Palmer's Thrush. The nest is said to be a 



